Chapter 25: I can’t wait to see the look of fear on your face!

Fear.

A suffocating, inescapable fear surged up from the depths of Bai Xue’s heart.

It was cold and gray like death.

Just like that day over ten years ago—by the river, when a friend had forced her underwater.

The helplessness, the despair, the panic—she could feel it all over again.

Her hands and feet had gone ice-cold.

Her body trembled uncontrollably.

“You… don’t come any closer…”

Even though she was terrified beyond reason, she still gripped her spear tightly.

She hadn’t completely given in to fear.

“Oh~ You still have the courage to stand in front of me?”

Zhao Gang sneered.

“I even gave you several seconds to run away. And yet, you didn’t take it… You’ve really let me down!!!”

Two gray-black tentacles slithered out of Zhao Gang’s mouth, writhing playfully in the air.

The sight was grotesque—monstrous.

While Bai Xue stood her ground, the wounded players nearby panicked and fled like their feet were on fire.

“Hmph~” Zhao Gang turned his head toward them and let out a cold snort.

His hand, which gripped the Great Treasure Sword, shot out like a venomous snake, unnaturally stretching and twisting through the air—

Whoosh!

A good head went flying.

“Stop!” Bai Xue’s pupils shrank as she cried out in alarm.

Zhao Gang’s extended arm snapped back at high speed.

He turned to look at her.

“Still just as nosy as ever, huh, Bai Xue? You could’ve used this chance to run while I was hunting~”

He sounded delighted.

Four gray-black tentacles squirmed excitedly from his mouth.

“Run… so you can chase me and enjoy the kill?”

Bai Xue gripped her spear tighter.

She fought to keep her mind clear, forcing herself to think.

She knew all too well—if she turned and ran now, this monster would begin the twisted game he loved: tormenting his prey while savoring every moment.

“Ah… so boring. So very boring, Bai Xue.”

Zhao Gang’s twisted grin finally disappeared.

His eyes turned cold, locked on her with a predator’s focus.

Like a venomous snake, coiled and ready to strike.

Bai Xue barely managed to stay on her feet.

But inside, despair was rising like filthy mud, swallowing her whole.

Fighting? That was absolutely impossible.

Running? Even more so.

There was no hope in sight.

But she would never give up.

“Bring it on.”

Taking a deep breath, Bai Xue forcibly suppressed the fear in her heart and spoke softly.

At her words, Zhao Gang immediately broke into a goofy, idiotic grin.

“Uhehe~ You really don’t know your place, woman~ If you get down on your knees and beg right now, I might just spare your life!”

“Zhao Gang… no, monster, you sure talk a lot of crap.”

Bai Xue stepped forward with her left foot, raising her spear in a simple battle stance.

“Monster? What nonsense are you spouting? I’m Zhao Gang. No, I’m—AAAHHHHHHH!!”

Suddenly, Zhao Gang clutched his head and let out a shrill scream.

It looked as if someone had jammed a screwdriver into his brain and was twisting it hard.

Seeing this, Bai Xue froze in confusion.

She couldn’t tell if he was faking the pain to lure her into attacking—Or if he was actually in agony.

If it was the latter, then this was the perfect time to strike!

‘It’s all or nothing now. I’ve got nowhere left to run!’

Making up her mind, Bai Xue charged forward, spear in hand.

As a former tennis ace, her explosive speed far surpassed that of an average person.

In the blink of an eye, the tip of her spear was just about to pierce Zhao Gang’s seemingly defenseless body.

But—

“Fooled ya~” Zhao Gang suddenly lifted his head with a twisted grin and swung his Greatsword.

The blade struck her spear with tremendous force.

The shockwave broke her attack posture instantly.

Her hands went numb.

The spear fell from her grip.

She was completely exposed.

In that moment—Bai Xue lost all hope.

“Hahaha! I’ve always wanted to see that look on your face—that terrified, helpless expression!”

Zhao Gang, having successfully deflected her strike, didn’t hesitate to launch a follow-up attack.

He was never one to show mercy to women—especially not now.

As the sword’s edge rapidly closed in, Bai Xue gave up resisting.

No, it wasn’t that she gave up.

She simply had no strength left to fight back.

At the same time, her mind was suddenly flooded with memories—

Happy ones, sad ones, fun moments, boring moments—

They all flashed by in an instant, as if her entire life was being replayed before her eyes.

And at the very end of those memories, a white silhouette appeared.

With one hand, he swept Zhao Gang’s sword away.

With the other, he caught Bai Xue by the waist and spun gracefully, like dancers in a waltz.

The motion ended in a still, perfect pose.

“You okay, Bai Xue?”